10 Summer MUST-DOs

There are many summer traditions during those long dog days of summer. Some traditions are regional and some transcend regions. You might recognize and do one, some, or all of these during a long hot summer in Texas.

Start off the list at number 10- The summer cut. For some it isn’t summer until you visit your favorite barber or hair salon and get that summer cut to help make those Texas summers a bit more bearable. For me, I always get a dipped cone at DQ after a visit to the barber for my traditional summer cut. Something about just getting my first summer cut makes the ice cream taste better.

At number 9- Time to go fishing. Some like fishing out of a boat. Some find fishing from shore with a nice comfy chair pleasant, while others enjoy putting on waders and fishing in the water and some, like me, like to back my Chevy pickup right up to the water and fish from my tailgate. Old Blue is my Silverado’s name, but that’s another story. As long as I can remember back there was always fishing in the summer.

Number 8- Brings us to fireworks. To me it just isn’t summertime without a 4th of July celebration and a parade. After the day’s festivities, it’s inside to the a/c for us as we cool down and watch all the firework shows that are on the tube. My favorite fireworks to set off is a roll of black cats, and I mean, a giant roll all at once. It has that wow factor I look for. When I worked in Arlington, I worked for a restaurant that was close to Rangers stadium. We would climb up to the roof and watch the fireworks display that was put on at Rangers stadium. It was a spectacular show.

Number 7- Now, I might get in to some trouble from the Mom’s, but summer just was not summer, without spending a full day here and there, doing nothing but playing video games while drinking soda and snacking. Back when I was a youngster it was Space Invaders, Asteroids, Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Later replaced with Mario Brothers and so on. Sonic the Hedgehog was a personal favorite.

Number 6- Movie matinee is a must. One of the best things to do on a long hot summer day is a double feature movie matinee with plenty of popcorn.

Number 5- This might be the most popular on a list but for me it is not summer without yard work or helping with the farm or ranch. The fun in this comes after. Although of late we have no pool to jump into this will be remedied at some point this summer. There is nothing like working outside on a 90- or 100-degree day and then stripping down to swim attire and jumping into a 70- or 80-degree pool. It’s an explosion of delight that can not be rivaled. After a refreshing dip in the pool comes an ice cold beer, wine, or ice tea. There must be some kind of scientific data supporting the fact that a beer or tea taste better after doing yard work in 100-degree weather.

Number 4- One of my absolute favorite summer traditions is sitting on the porch and listening to the sequoia’s, which some call cicadas, in the early evening or sometimes during the day if not to hot. Crickets as well. This has a strong nostalgic effect on me from early childhood memories as do lightning bugs as I am sure most had these memories growing up.

Number 3- Sitting around a fire pit sometimes at the lake and sometimes a fire pit at home. This is an absolute must as summertime traditions go. There are many things that go with this. It could be a beer, a glass of wine, sweet tea but smores at some point must be had in abundance. Stories and memories will soon follow and before you know it, its late and you have made a night to remember.

Number 2- A day at the lake or river. Not to be mistaken for a fishing trip. A day at the lake or floating down the Brazos is an entirely different tradition all together and could never be mistaken for a day of fishing. Fishing is done between one or two people while a day at the lake or river is about as many friends and family as you can hornswoggle into wasting an entire day at said lake or river. There should be plenty of various foods and treats as well as several kinds of drinks, some alcoholic, and some not. This is a summer tradition that goes back as far as anyone can remember. The only requirement is to have as much fun or relaxing as you can stuff into a day.

Last, but not least, is Number 1- (and these are in no particular order) - A BBQ at the park. Must include family and friends, at least 2 or 3 meats, potato salad or macaroni salad and three bean salad are optional but recommended. Street tacos and guacamole are equally as good. Some other accoutrements to think about for a good BBQ are a football, frisbee, ball and gloves or even a book to read under the shade tree.

There are many more summer traditions. I could go on for quite a bit. Everyone has their own summer traditions. Make sure to take time out of your summer to take part in your summer traditions. The memories you make will last a lifetime.